NFL Free Agency: Cleveland Browns fancied for Super Bowl run after Odell Beckham Jr trade from New York Giants
After unveiling Odell Beckham Jr as their huge new signing, the Cleveland Browns are the talk of the NFL off-season and have been cut to 14/1 to win the Super Bowl next year.
The Browns acquired Beckham, one of the best players in the NFL at any position, in what looks a favourable trade with the New York Giants.
The confidence boost the moves have given Cleveland fans is huge, and the betting market reflects that with now the Browns just 14/1 to win the Super Bowl - only four teams are shorter prices to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
It may be an overreaction, but it reflects the standing Cleveland's young, star-studded offence holds and what a superb job GM John Dorsey has done to pair such talent as Beckham with fellow receiver and close friend Jarvis Landry along with running back Nick Chubb.
These players will be led by record-breaking rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield who looks to have finally answered the faltering franchise's desperate need for a fresh new lease of life.
This Browns team is one that went 0-16 just two seasons' ago, and won four games over a woeful three-season spell before improving to 7-8-1 last season under Mayfield.
Cleveland are also currently favourites to win the AFC North ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens - which is incredible given that they've not finished with a winning record since 2007 and have made just one trip to the play-offs this century.
Mixed emotions for Beckham
Beckham said he had mixed emotions about the move, releasing o a post on Instagram saying: "So many mixed emotions and feelings. This is all, a lot to process but it is reality.
"I want to thank the NY Giants organisation for giving me an opportunity to do what God put me on this earth to do, I want to thank the organization and the owners for everything and especially giving me my first chance to be a part of the NFL.
"I gave you my all every Sunday. To the fans, some happy, some not, I just wanna thank you guys for making my experience in New York something I'll never forget.
As a previous deal was already in place to swap Browns lineman Kevin Zeitler with Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon, the two deals were all confirmed together.
Overall, Cleveland are sending a first and third-round pick in the 2019 draft and safety Jabrill Peppers and Zeitler to New York, with Beckham and Vernon heading in the opposite direction.
"I know Odell is very passionate," Browns general manager John Dorsey said. "I know he is competitive. I know he can help this football team, and if you get a chance to acquire a guy like that, you know what, take a shot at it. We acquired him."